A review of the professional preparation for undergraduate students in corporate/industrial and hospital/medical wellness and fitness programs.

Abstract

The purposes of this study were as follows: (1) to identify the necessary background for potential wellness and fitness professionals; (2) to examine the course content of undergraduate programs in wellness and fitness, health promotion, and/or exercise science/physiology; and (3) to identify which professional organization should take precedence in accrediting a core curriculum for programs that emphasize a career in wellness and fitness and health promotion.

A questionnaire was mailed to 50 wellness and fitness directors of corporate/industrial-based programs throughout the United States. Twenty-six (52 percent) of these questionnaires were completed and returned. An identical questionnaire was mailed to 50 wellness and fitness directors of hospital/medical-based programs throughout the United States. Thirty-two (64 percent) of these questionnaires were completed and returned. The second questionnaire was mailed to 100 directors of institutions with undergraduate programs in wellness and fitness, health promotion, and/or exercise science/physiology throughout the United States. Eighty (80 percent) of these questionnaires were completed and returned.

The data from the completed questionnaires were recorded with frequencies and percentages computed. The following recommendations were made from the conclusions of the study: (1) undergraduate programs should provide additional coursework in the areas of program planning in wellness and fitness, business administration, speech communication, computer science, basic first aid (CPR), and exercise testing and prescription; (2) internship/previous job experience is highly regarded for potential employment; and (3) a majority of the undergraduate programs supported the future possibility of receiving accreditation by the American College of Sports Medicine.